Indonesia investigators in US to quiz World Bank director

Indonesian investigators have arrived in Washington to quiz a World Bank managing director as a witness over a bank bailout that led her to quit as finance minister, an official said Thursday.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati, once considered Indonesia's top reformist, was among several officials who authorised the rescue of the mid-sized Bank Century, which was bailed out during the onset of the financial crisis in 2008.

The total funds disbursed to save the relatively minor bank were far higher than the amount initially deemed necessary to prevent its collapse, and bailout money was allegedly siphoned off by well-connected depositors.

Three investigators from the Corruption Eradication Commission arrived this week in Washington, where Indrawati is now based, to question her about the 6.7 trillion rupiah ($690 million) rescue, commission spokesman Johan Budi said.

"The questioning will be carried out this week at the Indonesian embassy there," he told AFP.

Indrawati has already been questioned twice as a witness by anti-graft investigators over the case and has denied any wrongdoing.

Budi said Indrawati's testimony would be used in the trial of former central bank deputy governor Budi Mulya, who was named a suspect in the case in November (Xetra: A0Z24E - news) .

Vice President Boediono, who was central bank governor at the time of the bailout, has also been implicated in the probe but denies any wrongdoing.

The case rocked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government just after he won a second presidency on a graft-fighting platform.

Indrawati resigned as finance minister in 2010 after being questioned by investigators and after the House of Representatives deemed the bailout illegal.

While the trigger for her resignation was the bailout, analysts say that parliamentary factions opposed to her reform agenda had long been seeking her removal.